Wenatchee Wild splits two games against Johnstown

WENATCHEE - The Wenatchee Wild split two games against the Johnstown Tomahawks over the holiday weekend, winning 4-3 in a shoot out Friday and losing 3-2 Saturday.

Wenatchee is now 12-11-2 and remain in sixth place in the North American Hockey League's Midwest division.

In Saturday's game, the two teams remained scoreless after the first period in which the Wild outshot the Tomahawks 16-7. Johnstown was able to score first when Mitch Hall found the back of the net with 5:22 remaining in the second period.

The Tomahawks stretched their lead to 2-0 after Tyler Basham scored from the high slot off an assist from Josh Bowes and Dakoda Menslage.

Parker Tuomie attempted to spark a Wenatchee rally in the third period after scoring on a power play to cut the deficit to 2-1. Wenatchee pulled its goalie late with hopes of scoring the tying goal, but Jamestown's Trevor Rectenwald scored in the empty net. Max McLain scored late for the Wild to draw the team within one, but the Tomahawks were able to hold on and secure a 3-2 win.

"That was a tough one to take," head coach Bliss Littler said. "We played awful well. You play that well and not collect any points, is tough to take."

Wenatchee outshot Johnstown 38-19 on the game and Chase Perry recorded 17 saves for the Wild. Alex Okicki made 36 stops for the Tomahawks.

"Sometimes the hockey gods are with you, sometimes they're against you and tonight we didn't get many bounces," Littler said. "Whether we need to work harder, I'm not sure, but when you hold a team to 20 shots, that's tough to take. Played awful well."

Wenatchee will face Johnstown two more times at home Dec. 6 and 7 beginning at 7:05 p.m.